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Spirit Of The Incas And Amazon Extension (QPSA)
Meeting The Locals Of The Uros Islands/greg ThurstonMore Photos
  • Comfort: Simple Tooltip
  • Tour Pace: Moderate Tooltip
  • Simply Explore
  • Wildlife
18 days land only visiting Peru
  • from AU$2179 Land only *
  • * Prices based on 2013/14 Standard Itinerary.
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Detailed Trip Notes

Suitability

Suitability

We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.

Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour.  For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.

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Tour Itinerary

Budgeting for your Tour

Budgeting for your tour

Custom regulations in Peru mean that you may be charged up to 30USD for bringing a second (or third or fourth etc) camera into the country. You are currently allowed to bring in one camera, and one video camera, without paying any duty. If you declare a second camera or if the customs authorities see a second camera on you, then you may be charged.

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Other Sightseeing & Activites

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.

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Excursion Prices

  •  Nazca - Antonini archaeological museum entrance fee US$8 (US$23 for guided tour - includes entrance fee); Chachilla pre-Inca cemetry US$26 (includes guide, transport and entrance fee); Nazca aqueduct US$22 (includes guide, transport and entrance fee).
  • Arequipa - Visit to Santa Catalina Convent US$14; Optional trip to Colca Canyon US$50- 100 depending on numbers.
  • Puno - Yavari Steamer US$5; Andean Explorer train to Cusco GBP£115 - must be paid at time of booking.
  • Aguas Calientes - Thermal Springs US$3.
  • Machu Picchu - entry Ns150 (only payable in nuevos – approx US$54 and subject to availability), bus and entry US$17 return.
  • Cusco - Whitewater rafting US$40/45; Trip to Pisac US$40-60 depending on numbers.

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Tipping

Local Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.

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Accordingly you should allow approx. US$60 for gratuities for local staff.

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Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.

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Foreign Exchange

Local Currency: Nuevo Sol.

Recommended Currency for Exchange: Carry all your funds in U.S. dollars cash or a debit/credit card (Sterling is very difficult to change). It is advisable to take some US$300-400 of your total spending money in cash, mixed denominations. Old, dirty or marked notes are not accepted locally, it is best to travel with brand new notes. Note: US $100 bills with the series CB-B2, year 2001, will not be accepted for exchange.

Where to Exchange: Most major towns - your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival.

ATM Availability: ATMs are available in all cities visited.

Credit Card Acceptance: In major restaurants.

Travellers Cheques: Travellers cheques are not always easy to exchange.

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Local Costs

  UK Peru
Tea/Coffee £1.50 $2.00
Soft Drink £1.50 $2.00
Bottled Water £1.50 $1.60
Bottle of Beer £3.50 $2.50
2 Course Meal* £15.00 $13.00
3 Course Meal** £20.00 $20.00
Bottle of Wine £14.50 $13.00
Breakfast £5.00  

*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.

Important Information

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.

If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.

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Visa Requirements

Peru: No visa is required for citizens of UK, CAN, USA, AUS and NZ. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

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Please note: Please note that flights on the tour may transit through the USA. According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.

Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain both a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.

All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home. In addition to passport information, you must also supply the full address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA. This information can be obtained from your joining instructions which are sent out approximately 3 weeks before travel.

Anyone applying for ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).  

For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).

For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk

Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

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Vaccinations & Protection

We recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, polio, infectious hepatitis and malaria. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.

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A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for the Amazon extension. Please bring the certificate with you.

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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.

Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

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Know before you go

We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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Preparing for your tour

Climate

Weather conditions vary from region to region.
Coast: June to October, misty, but temperatures never drop below 10°C. It rarely rains on the coast.
Highlands: All year: Sunny days, very cold nights. Rainy from December to March. Mainly dry weather rest of year, and best time for walking in the mountains, although cooler than the rainy season.
Jungle: All year: damp, hot and humid. Sometimes cold in August and September.

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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.

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Packing for your tour

To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you. 

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Luggage

One main piece of baggage and daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.

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Clothing

Select your clothing carefully: For the tropical jungle region (Amazonas) with its humid climate, loose fitting and lightweight clothing with long sleeves and a sunhat are essential. A complete set of clothes which can get grubby and muddy are useful. Bring warm clothing such as a warm fleece, thermal underwear, warm hat and gloves for cooler nights in the mountains when temps drop dramatically. Lightweight waterproofs are essential. Bring your swimsuit.

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Footwear

Comfortable shoes and sandals. If participating in rafting or visiting the jungle, old trainers (as they get wet) are useful.

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Equipment

You will need a good insect repellent, suncream, sunglasses, sun hat a small torch and a personal water bottle.

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Personal First Aid Kit

For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore

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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?

Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.

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General Information

General Information

Please understand that infrastructure to and in the Amazon jungle is not as reliable as at home. Occasionally the flight to the jungle can be unreliable due to local conditions. If the flights are for any reason unavailable, the extra nights will be spent in Cusco. Payment for the option would be refunded on your return home less the nights spent in Cusco. Also, there are sometimes limited transfer vessels, so return times from the jungle can vary

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Strikes, rallies and road-blocks are quite common forms of protest in Peru. While we have excellent resources in place to minimise any disruption to the tour, occasionally we have to make changes to our planned route and/or itinerary.

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Important: Please note that for all Peru tours, we require full passport details six weeks prior to departure. Failure to provide this information at this time may prevent you from getting a place on the tour. Any changes to the passport details after booking must be notified immediately with a photocopy of the changes/new passport.

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Country info

Area: 1.28 million sq km.

Population: 28 million.

Language: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara.

Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic.

Local Time: GMT -5.

Electric Supply & Plugs: 220V, 60Hz. Both two-pin flat and round pin adaptors can be used in Peru.

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Maps & Books

Recommended Books: John Hemmings: The Conquest of the Incas, Michael E Mosely: The Incas and their Ancestors, Hiram Bingham: Lost City of the Incas, Johan Reinhard: The Sacred Centre & The Nazca Lines, Peter Frost: Exploring Cusco, Tony Morrison: Pathways to the Gods, Jim Woodman: Nazca, the Flight of Condor.

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